PEMBROKE — Peterborough Petes forward Mason McTavish has been named to Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 selection camp roster.

While Team Canada will not be participating in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament this summer, which has been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, McTavish will participate in virtual training and development sessions with Hockey Canada as a continuation of the national governing body’s Program of Excellence.

McTavish played for the Pembroke Lumberkings before being selected by the Petes fifth overall in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) 2019 priority draft. McTavish put in a strong showing in his rookie OHL season recording 29 goals and 13 assists for 42 points, enough for second in the OHL rookie scoring race. He was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie team.

 The 6’0″, 198lbs native of Pembroke, will be the first Pete to suit up for Team Canada since Dylan Wells backstopped Canada to a gold medal in 2015.

McTavish was one of two Peterborough Petes who represented Canada White during the 2019 Men’s Under-17 tournament in Medicine Hat, AB. As the assistant captain of Canada White, McTavish tallied two goals and one assist in six tournament games.

“Mason had a tremendous rookie season and performed well not only for the Petes during the regular season, but also with Team Canada at the U-17 tournament,” Petes general manager Mike Oke. “It’s unfortunate that Mason won’t get the experience of competing in this world-class tournament, but he will have access to virtual programs which we know he will use to further his own development and the success of the Petes both on and off the ice.”

Mason’s father Dale McTavish also represented Canada multiple times at the Spengler Cup, winning the tournament in 2007 and participating in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2009.